Method of and apparatus for applying straps to boxes



Sept 21, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL 2,093,733

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 21, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 21, 3937- H. PAXTON ET AL 2,093,733

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 70 Z? 44 e MW 4 m 2 lllln lw q .69

H. PAXTON ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 21, 1937. H. PAXTON ET AL fi fi METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1934' 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 I m V, wfi w M mm? A 5%? v wma n, 4 D. [m 4% a w 5 w 0 w A 5 r O 5 5 MK; 0 Z a Z O I\\\\ZI'II, 7 6 M g W w Z w w w 0 H ER fi um Sept 21, 1937 H PAXTON AL 2,93,733

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 #445 24x70 a e/up z: AAA raw #4201 a away Sept, 21, 11937. H. PAXTON ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR. APPLYING STRAPS TO BOXES Filed Jan. 31, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 W m r W Patented Sept. 21, 1937 NHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPL I ING STRAPS T BOXES Hale Paxton, Gerald G. Paxton, and Barry D. Benson, Santa Ana, Calm, assignors to Acme Steel Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application January 31, 1934, Serial No. 709,178

20 Claims.

invention particularly adapted for this purposewill be disclosed in this application.

Among other objects, this invention is directed towards producing an improved strap which can be manufactured at a less cost than those hitherto applied by machinery; and suitable methods of and apparatus for applying this strap.

For various reasons, the fiat strap secured by nails to the sides of a box is considered in the citrus industry by many packers to be superior to round wire strap having driving ends formed thereon, the latter being driven into the sides of the box to secure the strap in place. It is accordingly a further object of our invention to provide a novel flat strap and methods of and apparatus for applying this across the covers of boxes and nailing the ends of the strap to the sides of the box.

The manner of accomplishing the foregoing objects, as well as further objects and advantages, will be made manifest in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the machine as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2. V

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the operative position of certain parts disclosed therein.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the operation of certain parts therein.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspectiv view of a portion of the machine as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of certain parts included in the machine of our invention.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and '7 showing the parts in positions following the positions in which they are shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line l|-l| of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a box strap included in our invention.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 54-44 of Fig. 1'7.

Figs. 15 and 16 are horizontal sectional views taken on lines l5-l5 and l6--l6 respectively of Fig. 14. e

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the machine of, 'our'invention showing the manner in which the box strap is positioned.

Fig. 18 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line l8 l8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line iii-I9 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19 illustrating the culmination of the nail driving operation of the nailingmechanism in nailing the lidto the box.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of one of the nailing units of the nailing mechanism.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the nail hopper which is provided upon each of the nailing units of our invention.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a box lidding machine I0, comprising a preferred embodiment of our invention, is shown in Fig. 1. This machine includes a frame H, an elevator 12, .a nailing mechanism 13, a strapper I4 and a control mechanism [5.

With the exception of thestrapper M, the box lidding machine l0 disclosed herein is substantially identical with the machine disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 688,104, filed September 5, 1933. The frame ll, elevator I2, nailing mechanism l3, and control mechanism I5 of the machine ill will be but briefly described herein, a more complete description of these units being found in the application above referred to.

The frame ll includes a rectangular base 2|,

The elevator l2 includes a box supporting table 26 slidable vertically in the frame It. Rockably mounted on the front and rear sides of the table 26 are side flushers 21 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Provided at one end of the table 26 is a box stop 28. Mounted on the frame II below the table 26 is an electrically driven power unit 29 for raising and lowering the table 26.

The nailing mechanism I3 includes a pair of units 2| as shown in Fig. 1. Each of the units 3| includes a chuck beam 32, opposite ends of the latter having guide shoes 33 for slidable engagement with the aforementioned slide bars 24 of the frame II. Fixed at the center of each of the beams 32 on the inside faces thereof are bifurcated lugs 34, one of the latter being clearly shown in Fig. 4. Mounted on the chuck beams 32 are brackets 35 in which end tuckers 36 are pivotally mounted.

The strapper 14 The strapper I4 includes a horizontal transverse beam 48, a nailing feeding mechanism 4|, and a strap applying and nailing mechanism 42.

The beam 48 includes a pair of plates 43, opposite ends of which are fixed to the plates 23 of the frame II by means of blocks 44 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Formed on the lower edges of the plates 43 are notches 46, (see Fig. '1) the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

Fixed to the upper edges of the plates 43 of the beam 48 by suitable bolts 41 is a pair of upstanding plates 48 and 49, spacers 5| being provided on the bolts 41 between the plates 43 to maintain the latter in a definite spaced relation. The plates 48 and 49 are joined and held in spaced relation by an apertured block 52 which is welded to the plates 48 and 49. Slidably mounted in the apertured block 52 is a threaded stud 53 having a head 54 at one end thereof as shown in Fig. 2. Welded to the upper side of the head 54 in parallel relation with the stud 53 is a plate 55 positioned so as to slide along the upper side of the apertured block 52. On the stud 53 between the block 52 and head 54 is a compression spring 56. Movement of the stud 53 relative to the block 52 is limited by nuts 51. Outstruck on the plate 48 is an apertured lug 58 shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

Mounted on the plates 48 and 49 are nail feed tubes 59 having funnels 68 on the upper ends thereof. The lower end of each of the tubes 59 terminates at one of the opposite ends of the beam 48 and is attached thereto as shown in Fig. 2.

Rockably mounted on a suitable pin 62 at the upper end of the plates 48 is a nail hopper 63. Slidably mounted at the mouth of the hopper 63 is a pair of nail picking bars 64, the latter being actuated by levers 65. as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

, The hopper 63 is similar in construction to the hoppers described fully in the above referred to copending application.

Rotatably mounted on each of the spacers 5| of the bolts 41 are pairs of rollers 68 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Also positioned on the spacers 5| between the pairs of rollers 68 are blocks 69. Formed integral with the blocks 69 and extending upward therefrom are. studs 18, the latter having shoulders 1| thereon.

Resting on the shoulders 1| of the studs 18 are washers 12 and springs 13, the latter being compressed against the washers 12 by means of nuts 14 threaded on the upper ends of the studs 18.

Slidable vertically on the studs 18 between the.

blocks 69 and washers 12 is a horizontal bar 18 formed to provide a central downwardly extending flange 11, the latter being slidable between the blocks 69 of the studs 10. It will b no ed n Fig. 5 that the space between the block 68 and the washer 12 of each stud 18 is greater than the thickness of the bar 16, so as to allow a slight degree of free vertical movement of the bar 18 on the studs 18.

Slidable vertically between the plates 43 of the beam 48 is a pair of plates 18, the latter being spaced by the bar 18 and guided by the rollers 68 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Secured between the upper ends of the plates 18 by a bolt 19 (see Fig. 6) is a spacer 88, the latter serving to limit the downward movement of the plates 18 by contact with the bar 16 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The lower ends of the plates 18 are bifurcated as indicated by the numeral 8| in Fig. 2. Fixed to the lower end of one of the plates 18, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, is a serrated bar 82, the purpose of which will be made manifest hereinafter.

Fixed between the lower extremities of the plates 18 as by bolts 83 is a saddle bar 84 comprising a pair of identical plates 85 which are separated by a spacing member 86 as shown in Figs. 10 and 17. The spacing member 86 is formed to provide a central opening 81 and a pair of lateral wings 88, the latter being formed to coincide with the contour of the lower edges of the plates 85 of the saddle bar 84. As noted in Figs. 10 and 11, the lower edges of the spacer 86 and wings 88 thereof are positioned above the lower edges of the plates 85 to provide a channel 89 (see Figs. 5 and 10). The spacing member 86 is formed to provide a pair of shoulders 98 at the lower end of the opening 81 as shown in Fig. 10.

Slidable vertically between the plates 85 and within the opening 81 of the spacer 86 is a hollow plunger 92 having a pair of outward extending lugs 93 on the upper end thereof as shown in Fig. 10. Extending downward through suitable openings 94 in the lower end of the plunger 92 is a pair of fingers 95 having semicircular heads 96 formed thereon as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. Resting on top of the heads 96 within the plunger 92 is a circular disc 91. The plunger 92 is urged to its downwardmost position by a compression spring 98, the movement of the plunger 92 being limited by contact of the lugs 93 thereof with the shoulders of the spacing member 86. It will be noted that'the pressure of the spring 98 against the disc 91 and heads 96 causes the fingers to be yieldably held in the position in which they are shown in Fig. 14.

Pivotally hung from opposite ends of the saddle bar 84 on pivot bolts I 8| are strap nailing jaws I82 as shown in Fig. 4. Each of the jaws I82 includes outer plates I83 and I84, these being flared at their lower extremities to provide wings I85. Formed on the' outside edges of the plates I83 and I84 are apertured ears I86, the latter receiving the trunnions of an apertured collar I 81.

On the inner edges of the plates I83 and I84 notches I88 are formed, one of the latter being shown in Fig. 8. Secured between the plates I83 and I84 of each jaw I82 by screws I89 is an arcuate block 8 formed in concentric relation with the pivot bolt I8I. The upper edges of the blocks 8 are channeled to provide a nail re ceiving trough III. Also secured between the plates I83 and I84 are strap positioning blocks I I2 as shown in Fig. 7. The plate I83 of each of the jaws I82 is formed to provide an elongated opening II3. Received by the notches I88 of the plates I83 and I84 are nail chucks ||6 comprised of identical halves Ill. The confronting faces of the halves II1 have semi-circular nail receiving grooves H8 and dished nail guiding portions II9 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Formed on the outside faces of the halves I I1 of the nail chucks H6 are studs I20. The chuck halves II1 are held in position and yieldably urged together by flat springs I2I, the latter having apertures at their free ends for receiving the studs I20 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. l

Fixed to the outside surfaces ofthe plates I03 of the jaws I02 are nail receiving funnels I22, the lower ends of which extend into the elongated openings II3 of the plates I03.

Pivoted on the pivot bolts IOI between the plates I03 and I04 of the jaws I02 are nail drivers I24, the lower ends of the latter being formed and positioned in the nail troughs III of the arcuate blocks IIO as shown in Fig. 8. The upper ends of the drivers I24 extend above the saddle bar 84 to provide apertured lever arms I25 as shown in Fig. 2.

Formed on the upper end oi each of the lever arms I25 of the drivers I24 are hooks I26. Slidable within the apertured collars I01 are pins I21 having heads I28 on the upper ends thereof, the top sides of the heads I28 being concave to receive the hooks I26 of the driver lever arms I25. Provided on the pins I21 between the heads I28 and collars I01 are compression springs I29 which tend to urge the jaws I02 downward so that the collars I01 thereof contact the back edge of the nail drivers I24.

Hinged at their outermost ends to the lower edge of the chuck beams 32 by pins I32 are crown sheets I33, the innermost ends of the sheets I33 being supported by the saddle bar by means of suitable pins I34 provided on the plates as shown in Fig. 4. Extending upward from the center of each of the crown sheets I33 is a pair of pins I35.

Fixed at its opposite ends by pins I31 to the aforementioned lugs 34 of the chuck beams 32 is a horizontal strapper actuating bar I38, the latter passing through the bifurcations M of the plates 18 and above the saddle bar 84 as shown in Figs. 2and 4.

Threaded into the upper side of the bar I38 in transverse alignment with the pairs of pins I35 of the crown sheets I33 are studs I39. lT-ositioned on each of the studs I39 and pairs of pins I35 is a yoke I40 having horizontal apertured ears MI and downward extending guide lugs I42 Provided on the pins I35 between the crown sheets I33 and the'ears I4I of the yokes I40 are compression springs I43. Threaded onto the studs I39 are nuts I44 by means of which the yokes I40 are held down against the springs I43.

Fixed to the upper side of the bar I38 adjacent one of the plates 18 is a sleeve I46 in which a pawl I41 is pivotally mounted. The pawl I41 has a serrated face I48 for engagement with the serrated bar 82 on the plate 18 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Fixed to the pawl I41 is an arm I49, 9. rod I50 extending from the arm I49 upward through the apertured lug 58 of the plate 48 as shown in Fig. 5. Provided on the rod I50 is a compression spring I 5| and a stop nut I52) Mounted on the under side of the bar I38 adjacent the saddle bar 84 is an apertured lug I54 as shown in Fig.'11. Pinned at its lower end to the lug I54 and pivoted at its upper end to the nail hopper 63 is a link I55 which rocks the hopper 63 in response to vertical movement of the bar I39 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Secured to the top and side surfaces of the strapper actuating bar I38 is a pair of vertical plates I56, the latter being positioned in vertical alignment with the plates 85 of the saddle bar 84 as shown in Fig. 5. The extremities of the plates I56 are apertured to receive bolts I51 upon which bell cranks I58 are pivotally mounted, the latter being positioned centrally between the plates I56 by spacers I59 as shown in Fig. 4. Connecting the upper side of the bell cranks I58 with the aforementioned flange 11 of the bar 16 are pairs of vertical links I60, the lower side of the bell cranks being connected to the apertured lever arms I25 of the dri.ers I24 by pairs of horizontal links I6I as shown in Fig. 4.

A box strap S adapted to be applied to a box by the machine I0 of our invention is shown in Fig. 12. The strap S is formed of a single piece of sheet metal by folding the longitudinal edges to provide beads I66 and crimping the central portion between the beads I66 to form transverse corrugations I61. The center of the strap S is pinched to reduce the width thereof and provide indentations I68 as shown in Fig. 16.

The indentations I68 are formed to provide lips I69 which extend downwardly from the upper face of the strap S. In handling the strap the operator can always be certain by feeling the lips I69 with the palm of his hand and fingers that the strap is right side up. Also no attention of the operator is required as to which end of the strap goes into the machine first in view of the fact that the indentations I68 are formed exactly at the center of the strap.

The control mechanism I5 of the machine II! as shown in Fig. 1 includes an electrical switch I10 for starting, stopping, and reversing an electric motor (not shown) to cause the power unit 29 of the elevator I2 to raise or lower the table 26. The switch I10 is manually operated by means of a foot pedal I1I. A more complete description of the control mechanism machine I0 may be had by referring to our above mentioned copending application.

I The nailing mechanism As the nailing units 3I are substantially identical, a description of one of these will suflice for both. Referring specifically to Figs. 18 to 21 inclusive, each unit 3| has pins I9I provided in the side slide bars 24 (see Fig. 21) by which the unit may be supported upon the side plates 23 of the frame, these units normally being mounted on the side plates 23 by cap screws I93 ex-.

tending either through pairs of holes I80 or through pairs of holes I 8| in the side plates 23 and being threadedly received in suitable holes provided in the side. slide bars 24. Secured to lower ends of the side slide bars 24 are chuck beam stops I94, the front stop I94 having a lid guiding member I95 secured thereon. Extending between and preferably rigidly connected at its opposite ends to the upper ends of the side slide bars 24 is a cross bar I96, this bar having stripper supporting ears I91, an upwardly extending spring hanger I99, and a. picker operating cam lever 200 pivotally mounted thereon. The spring hanger I99 is connected to the cross bar I96 by a single cap screw 20I. Formed in the lower face of the cross bar I96 is a groove 205 and square nail drivers 206 have their upper ends held in place in the grooves 205 by a key 201 which extends into suitable notches provided in the drivers 206, the key 201 being secured in I5 of the any suitable manner to the lower face of the cross bar I96.

The chuck beam 32 is disposed between the side slide bars 24 with the guide shoes 33 atthe opposite ends of the chuck beam sliding on the side slide bars 24. The chuck beam 32 is reenforced by welding blocks 2 I along its upper edge and blocks 2i I' along its lower edge adjacent the guide shoes 33 and then by blocks 2I2 welded in spaced relation along the lower edge of the chuck beam. One of the blocks 2! at the front of the machine provides a mounting for a picker cam actuating roller 2I3. Secured to the guide shoe 33 at the front of 'the machine (see Fig. 21) on the right hand unit 3| only is a control rod guide and release finger 2I8. Provided on the upper edge of the chuck beam 32 at the middle of the beam is a lid centralizer spring lug 2I9 (see Figs. 20 and 21) Pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on the spring hanger I99 and on opposite ends of the chuck beam 32 are telescopic spring spindles 22I on which heavy compression springs 222 are mounted under constant tension. Provided on the lower edge of the chuck beam 268 and extending inwardly is a pair of crown sheet attaching eyes 233, to which the crown sheet halves I33 are connected.

Formed on the chuck beam 32 and extending inwardly across its entire length is a chuck spring supporting boss 224, chuck springs 225 being secured by screws to an inclined lower face of this boss and extending through suitable notches in the lower edge of the chuck beam 32 and downwardly on the opposite side of the chuck beam. The lower ends of the chuck springs 225 are bent to extend vertically downward and pockets 226 are formed in these springs preferably by expressing the material thereof outwardly.

Resting on top of the lower reenforcing blocks 2I2, disposed between the upper reenforcing blocks 2I0, and yieldably held against the chuck beam 208 by springs 230 is a compound spring chuck block 23I which is clearly shown in Fig. 21. This block 23I has a plurality of driver guideways 232 (Figs. 19, 20, and 21) provided therein and a rearwardly extending boss 233 opposite each of these guideways, this boss providing a nail feeding duct 234 leading into the channel 232 and inwardly inclined faces against which chuck springs 235 are secured by screws. These springs are substantially identical with springs 225 (Fig. 19) and extend inwardly and downwardly to cooperate with the springs 225 in a manner which will be made manifest hereinafter.

In the preferred embodiment of our invention there are six guideways 232 shown in the compound chuck block 23I, the endmost pairs of these guideways being closer together than the inner pairs so that the outer pair of bosses 233 are formed as a single unit. As shown in Fig. 21, only one of each of the endmost pairs of the guideways 232 is used, the purpose of these two guideways being close together being to permit operation upon boxes differing considerably in width. When any of the guideways 232 are not used, it has been found preferable to cover up their lower ends as by dummy chuck springs 236 secured both to the boss 233 and to the boss 224 opposite this guideway.

Removably supported in each of the ducts 234 and connecting therewith is a nail funnel 231.

The brackets 35 are mounted on the chuck beam reenforcing block 2i I as clearly shown in Fig. 21, these brackets pivotally carrying the opposite ends of the end tucker 35 for this nailing unit, and a lid depresser and centralizer 244. The end tucker 36 comprises two substantially cylindrical bodies, one of which is disposed on the axis of rotation of the tucker and the other of which is disposed parallel with the first body and radially therefrom, the two being connected by a substantially continuous web of metal. The tucker 36 normally extends downwardly at an angle as clearly shown in Fig. 19, so that it is adapted to support the end of a box lid as shown in this figure. Secured on the tucker 36 to provide a stop for the rear edge of such a lid is a cam member 246. Also formed in the tucker 35 as clearly shown in Figs. 18, 19, 20 and 21, is a pair of slots 241.

The lid depresser and centralizer 244 has a cross section as shown in Figs. 19 and 20 which includes a body 248 having arcuate guides 249 extending downwardly into the grooves 241 in the tucker 36, and a lip 256 which extends inwardly from the body 248 at the upper edge thereof and is provided with suitable notches 250a at the opposite edge of the nail driver guideways 232. The lid depresser and centralizer 244 has an upwardly extending hump 25I to which is pivotally secured a clevis 252 carrying a rod 253 which extends through a suitable aperture in the lug 2I9, a compression spring 254 being coiled about the rod 253, said spring constantly urging said lid depresser and centralizer 244 to rotate downwardly into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 21.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 19, 20 and 22, it will be seen that each nailing unit 3| includes a nail hopper 266 having a floor 26I, a rear wall 262 and side walls 263, the inner ends of the latter being pivotally connected to the hopper mounting lugs I91. The hopper side walls are also connected by links 264 to the reenforcing block 2 of the chuck beam 266. Extending from the upper edge of the rear wall 252 to spaced points in the floor 26I are nail agitating rods 265, there being nail advancing slots 266 extending forwardly from these rods to a front edge 261 of the floor 26I. Formed in the edge 261 adjacent each of the slots 266 is a relatively small notch 268. The stripper 260 has a fixed baiiie wall 269 extending between the walls 263 and rigidly secured thereto, there being clearance between the lower edge of the wall 269 and the floor 26I adjacent the slots 256 to permit nail heads to pass underneath the bailie wall 269 as the stems of the nails extend through the slots 266. Pivotally mounted between the walls 263 is a pivoted baille 210, this bailie having a -iiange 21I at its upper end and a set screw 212 for limiting its downward swinging movement when the hopper 260 is extended upwardly. Also extending between the walls 263 is a rod 213 on which are pivotally mounted a series of traps 214, these being held in spaced relation by spacers 215. Each of the traps 214 is disposed over one of the slots 266.

As shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 20, two brackets 289 are connected to the lower surface of the stripper floor 26I and extend forwardly beyond the front edge 261 of said floor. Slidably mounted on these brackets is a picker bar 28I having a pair of slots 282 through which cap screws 283 extend, these screws then screwing into suitable apertures in the brackets 280. Disposed between the heads of the cap screws 283 and the picker bar 26I so as to cover the slots 262 are guard washers 264. Fixed on the picker bar 23I is an actuating arm 285, the extremity of aoesnes which is bent as shown in Fig. 22 to extend into the upper bifurcated end of the cam lever 2w by which the picker bar 2M is adapted to be actuated. As shown in Fig. 18, a coil spring 2% attaches to one of the brackets 286i and to the picker bar 288 so as to constantly urge this picker bar into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 18 and 22.

The picker bar Edi has its lower edge both parallel and close to the front edge 2%? oi the strip= per floor 25 and this edge of the picker bar is provided with a series of pairs of notches, one pair for each of the slots 2% of the stripper floor. Each of these pairs of notches comprises a small notch 2d? and a largenotch its, the notch 28? of each of these pairs being opposite one of the notches 2% when the picker bar is positioned as shown in Fig. 22. while the large notch fits of that pair is on the opposite side of that notch from the slot 2% adjacent that notch 2st. The notches 28F and 2855 are spaced apart the same distance from their centers as is each of the slots 26% and adjacent notch 238.

Each end tucker St has an arm 2332 which is connected to a lug 333 on the chuck beam 32 by a contractile spring 336.

We have now completed a description of the right hand nailing unit 3i as shown in Fig. l. The left hand nailing unit 3i is an exact duplicate of the one hereinabove described, except that instead oi a hook 5195 being formed on the forward chucl: beam stop set, the corresponding chuck beam stop on the left hand nailing unit 3! merely has a shallow V-shaped lid and guide 289 as shown in Fig. l.

Operation raised so that the ends of the strap are guided into the jaws M2 by the wings m5 of the plates Hi3 and Hi l. The center of the strap S is then snapped into engagement with the fingers $5 of the plunger 92 as shown in Figs. 14 and 16 by inserting the neck 658 of the strap between the fingers 95.

After the strap S is positioned, a box lid is inserted in the machine from the front thereof with the ends of the lid resting on the end tuckers 38 as shown in Fig. l. A box B containing an overfull pack 0 is then delivered onto the table 26 of the elevator i2 by a, delivery conveyor 6 75, the box B being stopped by the stop 28.

The operator of the machine it then drops a nail N into each of the funnels I22 of the-strap nailing jaws we, the nails N gravitating into the troughs iii of the arcuate blocks Mil as shown in Fig. 8. After thefirst lidding operation of the machine it the nails N are automatically fed to the jaws )2 by the nail feeding mechanism 4! in a manner to be presently described.

After the nails N are supplied to the jaws I02 and the strap S, lid L, and box 13 are positioned as aforesaid, the operator depresses the foot pedal ill causing the power unit 29 to elevate the table 26. The side flushers 27 then swing inward against opposite sides of the box B as shown in Fig. 2. The fiushers 2! center the box transversely and longitudinally relative to-the table and press the overfull portion of the contents 0 inward from over the upper edges of the box sides as described in our aforementioned copending application. The inward 11-1: of the side flushers 27 also automatically lowers the bot: stop 28 and allows the latter to move inward under the end of the box is to permit removal of the box from the table 283 after the lidding operation.

As the table 26 continues to rise. the fruit in the box comes in contact with the lid L as shown in Fig. 13. This lifts the lid L against the lid centralizer lips 2th, and swings central izers see upwardly until the lips b rest the lower faces oi the chuck beams this is happening, however, the n rise into engagement with. the suckers lit and rock the latter inwardly to tuck any fruit ove e hanging the edges oi the boss inwardly so that when this engages the cover, it is pressed down inside the box. The upward movement of the box then rocks the end tuckers outwardly from between the ends of the box and the ends of the lid, this occurring just as the lid end presses the lid centralizer lips 22% up against the chucls beams 32. g The ends of the lid are new pressed against the ends of the box and the middle portion of the lid is in conformation with the crown sheets 9% as shown in Fig. 20, but the crown sheets and chuck beams 32 and parts associated therewith are still in their lowermost positions as shown in chuck beams 32, further compressing the springs 222 and causing the drivers 2% to drive nails in the recesses 232 downwardly from between the chuck springs 225 and 235 through the lid ends, and into the ends of the box, as clearly shown in Fig. 20. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed, the nails N and drivers 2% do not move downwardly, but remain stationary while the box and the lid are pushed upward onto the nails.

It is to be noted that the strapper actuating bar 938 is mounted on the chuck beams 32 and rises with these during the nailing of the ends of the lid to the ends of the box as shown in Figs. 19 and 20. The operation of the strapping mechanism M takes place during the lifting of this bar.

The pressure of the compression springs M3 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 is adjusted so as to permit the upward pressure of the overflow pack against the lid L to be sumcient to support the middle ends of the crown sheets ass and the strapper is during the upward travel of the chuck beams 32.

When the chuck beams 32 start moving up ward, of course, the bar Q38 also moves upward and of course carries with it the plates 856 seecured thereto and the pins l5? mounted in these plates.- As the block '16 has only a very slight degree of freedom to move vertically on the studs ill, and as these studs are fixed upon the crossbeam 46 which is a part of the frame of the machine, the upward movement of the pivot pins 557 with the bar I38 results in the links 5%, the bell cranks I58, and the links 8M swinging the nail .drivers I26 and the strap positioning jaws I02 downwardly and. inwardly around their pivot pins till. The first part of this swinging movement of the nail drivers I24 brings the strap positioning jaws I02 against the sides of the box B as shown in Fig. '7. This movement of the jaws I102 completes the wrapping of the strap S loosely across the middle of the lid L with end portions of the strap extending down fairly close to the sides of the box.

The positioning of the jaws I02 as shown in Fig. 7 is accomplished when the, chuck beams 32 and the strapper I4 have been lifted approximately one-half of the vertical movement necessary in nailing the ends of the lid to the ends of the box. Accordingly, as the box and the machine parts being lifted thereby continue upwardly the swinging movement of the nail drivers I24 about their pins IOI also continues. This causes the compression of springs I29 and the engagement of the nails N by the driving portions of the drivers I24 so as to drive these nails through the nail chucks I I6 and the end portions of the strap S and into thesides and center p'artition of the box B, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. The nail engaging portions of the drivers I24 pass between the individual halves II! of the nail chucks I I6, these nail chuck halves being sprung outwardly against the yielding pressure of the springs I2I which are clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The springs I3 are provided'as a safety measure, these springs yielding in case the nail drivers I24 should ever become jammed in the jaws I02.

As seen in Fig. '7, the links I6I do not lie horizontally when the nail driving operation commences. Slight upward forces are thus transmitted to the drivers I24 by this driving operation. To prevent this upward force causing the jaws I02 to shift upwardly during the nailing of the strap to the box, we have provided the serrated jaws 82 and I41 and the mechanism for actuating these, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to lock the saddle bar 84 against vertical movement relative to the chuck beam cross-bar I38 after the crown sheets I33 and saddle bar 84 have adjusted themselves to the crown of the lid L, and the upward movement of the chuck beams 32 and other parts lifted by the box has started. This insures that the jaws I02 will not move vertically relative to the box B during the nailing of the strap ends to the box. In many cases we have found that this precaution is unnecessary and may be dispensed with. However, where the packs are very high so that the upward inclination of the links I6I during the strap nailing operation is considerable we find it advisable to provide the locking mechanism comprising the serrated jaws 82 and I41 and means for bringing these into engagement.

During the driving of the nails N the upward movement of the strapper actuating bar I38 raises the aforementioned link I55 and lifts the nail hopper 63 to the position shown in Fig. 10. As the hopper 63 rocks on the pin 62, the lower ends of the levers 65 are spread by contact with the head 54 of the stud 53 causing the nail picking bars 04 to be moved toward each other to allow a nail to be dropped from the hopper 63 into each of the funnels 60. The nails gravitate through the tubes 50,into the funnels I33 of the jaws I24, through the openings II3 of the plates I03 and into contact with the nail drivers I24, the latter being, at this time, in the driving position shown in Fig. 10. As soon as the drivers I24 swing from the driving position back to their normal position, the openings H3 in the plates I03 are uncovered allowing the nails to fall into position in the troughs III of the blocks H0 in readiness for the next strap nailing operation.

After the lid L is nailed and strapped to the box B the operator releases the pedal I'II allowing the power unit to lower the table 26. The side flushers 21 automatically swing outward to their normal position and the lidded and strapped box B is discharged from the machine onto a suitable discharge conveyor I18.

It is to be noted that as the strap is being shaped over the cover and alongside the sides of the box the plunger 92 'is lifted upwardly against the pressure of the spring so that when the strap is so positioned just prior to the nailing of the end portions to the sides of the box, as shown in Fig. 7, the plunger 02 is disposed upwardly practically flush with the lower cover shaping face of the saddle bar 84. Owing to the fact that multi-slat covers are in general use in which a free space between adjacent slats extends down the center of the cover, the fingers do not interfere with the cover in any way during the lidding and strapping operation but extend into this central space as shown in Fig. 7.

Advantages There are numerous advantages which the strap and the method of and machine for applying the same hereinbeiore described possess over previous straps, methods, and machines provided for strapping covers to overfllled boxes. In the first place, most of the machines previously provided for this purpose have applied a round wire strap, the ends of which were bent inwardly and driven into the box sides to hold the strap in place. This type of strap is inferior to the flat strap in which the end portions of the strap are nailed to the sides of the box as it is much more difficult to pull out the nailed ends of the flat strap than the bent driving ends formed integrally with the ends of the wire strap. Furthermore, there is a considerable saving as the flat strap can be produced and sold much cheaper than the wire strap. Another advantage is the handling of the flat strap which we have made in straight sections without any bent ends formed thereon and considerable time is thus saved in handling the flat strap over the time required for handling the wire strap having driving ends bent from the ends thereof. A further advantage is the ease with which the flat strap bends over the side edges of the lid. The wire strap is relatively stiff and therefore does not bend easily at the side edges of the lid as is highly desirable in strapping boxes of citrus fruit and this is the most extensive use made of strap on overfilled packs.

It is also to be noted that our new method of indexing a strap in the machine is much easier than the former method of inserting the strap and positively prevents the faulty indexing of the strap. It is further to be noted that the strap itself has been provided with an indexing neck in a manner which has not reduced the cross-section of the strap nor materially decreased the resistance of the strap to stretching forces.

Although we have shown and described but one specific embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A method of binding the cover of an overfilled box thereto under a transverse compression which consists in providing a relatively straight flat strap of suitable length, indexing said strap transversely above the middle of said cover so the ends of said strap extend equal distances beyond the edges of said cover, applying said cover to said box with the cover ends against the box ends and the middle of the cover disposed upwardly, compressing said middle bulge in said cover to shape this transversely beneath said strap, shaping said strap in its indexed position to substantially conform to said transverse contour of the middle of said cover and with the ends of said strap extending downwardly close to the sides of said box equal distances, driving nails through said strap end portions to nail these to opposite sides of said box, and releasing the transverse pressure on said cover.

2. A method of binding the cover of an overfilled box thereto under a transverse compression which consists in providing a relatively straight flat strap of suitable length, indexing said strap transversely above the middle of said cover with the ends of said strap extending equal distances beyond the edges of said cover, applying said cover to said box with the cover ends against the box ends and the middle of the cover disposed upwardly, compressing said mid dle bulge in said cover to shape this transversely beneath said strap, shaping said strap in its indexed position to substantially conform to said transverse contour of the middle of said cover and with the ends or" said strap extending downwardly close to the sides of said box equal distances, simultaneously driving nails through said strap end portions to nail these to opposite sides of said box, and releasing the transverse pressure on said cover.

'3. A method of binding the cover of an overfilled box thereto under a transverse compression which consists in providing a relatively straight flat strap of suitable length, indexing said strap transversely above the middle of said cover to the ends of said strap extending equal distances beyond the edges of said cover, applying said cover to said box with the cover ends against the box ends and the middle of the cover disposed upwardly, compressing said middle bulge in said cover transversely beneath said strap, shaping said strap in its indexed position to substantially conform to said transverse contour of the middle of said cover and with the ends of said strap extending downwardly close to the sides of said box equal distances, simultaneously nailing said strap and portions to opposite sides of said box, and releasing the transverse pressure on said cover, said strap being indexed at a middle point therein, the balance of said strap loosely conforming to said cover and said box prior to the nailing of the strap ends to the sides of the box.

4. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an overfilled box to said box, the combination of: means to shape said' middle portion of said cover transversely and apply a piece of fiat strap previously cut, to length in substantial conformation with the contour thus given said middle portion of said cover and with end portions of said strap on opposite sides of said box; and means for driving nails through said opposite end portions of said strap to nail said portions to the sides of said box.

5. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an overfilled box to said box, the combination of: means to shape said middle portion of said cover transversely and apply a piece of fiat strap previously cut to length in substantial conformation with the contour thus given said middle portion of said cover and with end portions of said strap on opposite sides of said box; and means for simultaneously driving nails through said opposite end portions of said strap to nail said portions to the sides of said box.

6. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an overfllled box to said box, the combination of: a strapper unit'including a cover shaping bar and nailing means provided on opposite ends thereof; indexing means on said unit adapted to engage a flat length of strap and properly index this strap beneath said cover shaping bar; a table for supporting a box beneath said strapping unit with the cover disposed over said box; and means for causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said table to shape said cover transversely and to position said strap over the shaped portion of said cover with its ends at opposite sides of said box and then drive nails through said end portions of said strap to nail said portions to sides of said box.

. 7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said indexing means is provided on said cover shaping bar and engages complementary indexing means on said strap at the middle thereof.

8. A combination as in claim 6 in which said indexing means on said unit yields to receive said strap, said strap being looked against longitudinal displacement when it has been received by said indexing means.

' 9. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an overfilled box to said box, the combination of a strapper unit including a cover shaping bar and nailing means provided on opposite ends thereof; indexing means provided on said cover shaping bar, said indexing means being adapted to engage complementary indexing means at the middle of a flat length of strap and properly index this strap beneath the cover shaping bar; a table for supporting a box beneath said strapping unit with the cover disposed over said box; and means for causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said table to shape said cover transversely, to position said strap over the shaped portion of said cover with its ends at opposite sides of said box and to nail said end portions of said strap to sides of said box.

10. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an overfllled box to said box, the combination of: a strapper unitincluding a cover shaping bar and nailing means provided on opposite ends thereof; indexing means on said unit, said indexing means yielding to receive a fiat length of strap and properly index this strap beneath said cover shaping bar, said strap being locked against longitudinal displacement when it has been received by said indexing means; a table for supporting a box beneath said strapping unit with the cover disposed over said box; and means for causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said table to shape said cover transversely, to position said strap over the shaped portion of said cover with its ends at opposite sides of said box and to nail said end portions of said strap to sides of said box.

11. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an overfilled box to said box,

the combination of: a nailing table for supporting said box; a superstructure on said machine extending above said table; a strap applying and I nailing mechanism mounted on said superstrucsaid cover with said mechanism then causing relative movement between said mechanism and said superstructure; and operating means connected to said mechanism and to said superstructure to cause said strap end nailing means to nail said strap ends to the sides of said box said operating means being actuated by relative vertical movement between said mechanism and said superstructure.

12. In a machine for strapping the middle portion of the cover of an over-filled box to said box, the combination of a nailing table for supporting said box; a superstructure on said machine extending above said table; a strap applying and securing mechanism mounted on said superstructure and including a unit comprising a transverse cover shaping bar and strap end securing means on the ends of said bar, said unit being adapted to support a strap thereon; means causing relative vertical movement between said table and said superstructure to cause said mechanism to engage said cover and shape said middle portion thereof transversely and position said strap .to

.conform to said shaped portion of said cover,

engagement of said cover with said mechanism then causing relative movement between said unit and said superstructure; and operating means connected to said mechanism and to said superstructure to cause said strap end securing means to secure said strap ends to the sides of said box as a result of relative vertical movement between said mechanism and said superstructure, said operating means being disposed so that said cover shaping bar is substantially free from vertical pressure incidental to the actuation of said strap end securing means.

13. In a cover pressing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; a nailing table for receiving a packed box with a lid disposed there over; a superstructure on said frame extending above said table; a cover end presser head mounted on said superstructure and capable of vertical movement relative to the latter; means for causing relative vertical movement between said table and said superstructure to bring said cover presser head into contact with the ends of said cover; means for yieldably biasing said presser head in a given direction to cause said relative vertical movement between said table and said superstructure to press the ends of said cover against the ends of said box, said yieldable means then yielding to permit relative vertical movement between said presser head and said superstructure; a strap applying and securing means mounted on said superstructure and capable of vertical movement relative thereto, said strapper means being disposed transversely of said cover and means actuated by the aforesaid relative vertical movement between said superstructure and said presser head to operate said strap applying. and securing means to secure said strap to opposite sides of said box.

14. A combination as in claim 13 in which nail ing mechanism is provided on and operated by relative movement between said superstructure and said presser head to nail ends of the cover to ends of the box.

15. In a cover pressing and strapping machine the combination of: a frame; a nailing table for receiving a packed box with a lid disposed thereover; a superstructure on said frame extending above said table; a cover end preser head mounted on said superstructure and capable of vertical movement relative to the latter; means for causing relative vertical movement between said table and said superstructure to bring said cover presser head into contact with the ends of said cover; means for yieldably biasing said presser head in a given direction to cause said relative vertical movement between said table and said superstructure to press the ends of said cover against the ends of said box, said yieldable means then yielding to permit relative vertical movement between said presser head and said superstructure; a strap applying and nailing means mounted on said superstructure and capable of vertical movement relative thereto, said strapper means being disposed transversely on said cover; and means actuated by the aforesaid relative vertical movement between said superstructure and said presser head to operate said strap applying and nailing means to nail said strap to opposite sides of said box.

16. In a strapping machine the combination of: a table for receiving a packed box with a lid disposed thereover; a strapper unit including means for positioning a strap across said lid with its ends adjacent opposite sides of said box and means for nailing said strap ends to said box sides; a frame for supporting said table and said unit in spaced relation; and mechanism on said frame for causing relative movement between said table and said unit to bring said box with its lid into pressural contact with said unit, continued operation of said mechanism after-said contact actuating said strapper unit to nail said strap ends to opposite sides of said box.

17. In a strapping machine the combination oi: a frame; strapper means including means for positioning a strap across a face of an object with the ends of said strap opposite other faces of said object, adjacent said first mentioned face and strap end nailing means; yieldable means connecting said strapper means to said frame for operating said strapper means and means causing relative movement between said object and said frame to press said object against said strapper means to shift the latter towards said frame, said shifting actuating said operating means and causing said strapper means to position the ends of said strap and nail said strap ends to the aforesaid other faces.

18. In a machine for nailing ends of a lid to the ends of an overfilled box and nailing ends of a strap to sides of said box to hold down a bulged middle portion of said lid, the combination of: a box supporting table; a frame structure extending above said table; lid pressing and nailing means on said structure; means causing relative vertical movement between said box table and said lid pressing and nailing means to suecessively press the ends of said lid onto ends of said box and nail said lid ends to said box ends; strap holding means supported on said structure so as to position the strap transversely across a middle portion of said lid; and other nailing means actuated in timed relation with said relative movement to nail end portions of said strap to opposite sides of said box while said strap is so positioned across said lid.

19. In a machine for nailing ends of a lid to the ends of an overfllled box and nailing ends of a strap to sides of said box to' hold down a bulged middle portion of said lid, the combina tion of a box supporting table; a frame structure extending above said table; a lid pressing and nailing means on said structure; means causing relative vertical movement'between said box table and said lid pressing and nailing means to successively press the ends of said lid on to ends of said box and nail said lid ends to said box ends; strap holding means supported on said structure so as to position the strap transversely across a middle portion of said lid; and other nailing means actuated by said relative move- 20. A combination as in claim 12 in which automatic locking means is provided to lock said cover shaping bar against vertical movement relative to said box during the strap securing operation.

HALE PAXTON. GERALD C. PAXTON; HARRY D. BENSON. 

